Heading in Feb 2010 to Morocco and looking for some sensible travel tips. Help!
I'm heading to Morocco in Feb 2010 for about 9 days with a friend. We are not staying all 9 days in Morocco though. We are planning on flying to Madrid for 3days in between, which leaves us about 5 days in Morocco.
However, we have enough information about Madrid but need some sensible tips for Morocco. Things like:
1. How much money should a traveler generally bring if he/she is spending about 5 days there?
2. What is the safety like for female travelers?
3. Is it easy to commute from one city to another? Ideally we'd like to go from Casablanca to Marrakech to Tangiers.
4. I've heard of riads. Can anyone recommend any riad we can stay at?
Thanks!
Reply to this Hello Ketki 😊
Yeah, I think Morocco is reasonably safe for women travellers. I havent been there, but I have been to Egypt, and I imagine they are similiar as regards the women travellers issues. When you are outside major tourist areas wear long flowey clothes, to discourage people from making judgements about you, and to discourage sexual harassment.
Maybe the Riad in
Marrakech Madness would be nice. It at least looks good in the blog photos.
Mel
Reply to this Be careful in Tangiers. I would not recommend you travel alone there.
Reply to this Hello Andy 😊
What are the dangers to look out for in Tangiers?
Mel
Reply to this Of all the places I have been, Tangiers is the only one that I would not recommend a person travel alone. Even as a safe and courteous traveler, I recognized the lurking danger in Tangiers. My sense for danger was well-founded when 4 traveling acquaintances had their hotel door kicked in, assaulted and robbed at knife-point -- 2-doors down at 3am. So, be careful.
Reply to this going to morocco in feb as well, thanks for the advise in tangiers... we decided not to spend a night there. Anyone know if there places to rent equipment including cold weather clothing near the atlas mountains?
Reply to this Hi Ketki:
I have been going to Morocco often for many years and am happy to share information. Here are some answers to your questions:
1. How much money should a traveler generally bring if he/she is spending about 5 days there? IT TOTALLY DEPENDS WHAT YOUR BUDGET IS. THERE ARE HOTELS FOR EVERY BUDGET.
2. What is the safety like for female travelers? THERE SHOULD BE NO PROBLEM IF YOU ARE RESPECTFUL OF THE CULTURE:NO LOW CUT, TIGHT, SHORT CLOTHING. YOU MAY BE APPROACHED BY MEN AND BOYS ALONG THE WAY OFFERING TO BE YOUR GUIDE, TAKE YOU SOMEWHERE, RECOMMEND A HOTEL, ETC. I WOULD SUGGEST A SIMPLE "NO THANK YOU" AND MOVE ON. THIS IS NOT BAD MANNERS. AS ANYWHERE, TRY NOT TO BE IN SUGGESTIVE IN ANY WAY.
3. Is it easy to commute from one city to another? Ideally we'd like to go from Casablanca to Marrakech to Tangiers. THERE IS DECENT TRAIN SERVICE AMONG ALL THESE CITIES.
4. I've heard of riads. Can anyone recommend any riad we can stay at? DEPENDS ON YOUR BUDGET. THEY CAN BE QUITE INEXPENSIVE OR QUITE DELUXE! RIADS ARE FORMER PRIVATE HOMES OR SMALL PALACES WHICH HAVE BEEN RENOVATED AND CONVERTED TO SMALL HOTELS--USUALLY JUST UP TO 7 ROOMS.
I HOPE YOU HAVE A MARVELOUS TIME IN THIS BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY!
JOAN NOBLE
Reply to this For those who want to try something not too touristic in Morocco and what to know more about the Moroccan way of living, here is a suggestion....
Don't stay too long in Marrakech. It's a very nice place but you could learn more and get more contacts with the locals if you just went some distance away from the town. And visit the Toubkal villages, for instance
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